MovieChat Forums > Love Jones (1997) Discussion > Macy Gray

Macy Gray

posted 19 years ago by JAG2005
6 replies | jump to latest

After maybe the tenth time or so that I watched Love Jones, I heard Macy Gray's, "I Try" in the background of one of the night club scenes. I wonder why the song didn’t make the soundtrack since I believe that it was the song that ended up jump-starting Macy's career. By far, the Love Jones’ soundtrack is THE best – no need to skip any songs on this one. The addition of Macy Gray would have made it that much better. I, too, would have liked the addition of the Reggae song. Is there any rhyme or reason why some songs from a movie make the soundtrack and others don’t besides lack of space on the CD? Even space shouldn’t be a factor being that these days, CDs have 20 or more tracks. Any thoughts?

"smile. be happy"

[–] joeshappy 16 years ago

the movie came out in 97 and the song wasn't released 'till 99. i always wondered why they didn't add it to the soundtrack too.

[–] AntiRealityShowMan 16 years ago

Some songs don't make the soundtrack cd because of budget reasons. A good example is Maxwell's remake of This Woman's Work was too damned expensive to be released on the Love & Basketball soundtrack. It's also a good marketing plan to break in a new artist. It builds demand. People want what they can't have. Like the Macy Gray song and the Reggae song on Love Jones.

"You and me aint done, Zeke!"... RIP Tom. He didn't believe ya, but we did:(

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] tedwitcher-1 15 years ago

My music supervisor took me to see Macy Gray at the Viper Room, a tiny club in L.A., when nobody knew who she was and she didn't have a record deal. (Interestingly, the music she was making at that time was more rock-oriented.) I thought her voice was interesting, unique and different, and that she was the type of artist that belonged on the record/in the movie. When it came time to put the record together, Sony was adamant that "Macy Gray will never be on this record." Didn't fit their vision, I guess, and so I lost that fight (among many). Still, I was able to stick it in the movie itself. Of course, that song "I Try" went on to become a hit and her first record was, like, triple platinum. Shows you what they know.

[–] masigl4179 14 years ago

Wow thanks for taking the time to post that information. I've always wondered what the story was behind the song being played in that scene but never on the soundtrack. I need to go watch Love Jones again.

[–] JAG2005 14 years ago

I am starstruck! Haven't checked back since 2005 regarding this post. Like, oh everyone African American between the ages of at least 35-45, I love, love, love this movie. I was just talking about it with a friend yesterday. I was telling him that I needed to get the DVD since I only have the VHS and my VHS player doesn't work anymore.

Please direct another quality movie like this one. No offense to Tyler Perry, but...enough is enough for awhile. I think casting with the younger demographic will be difficult. I can't think of any of the under 30 African American actors who even begin to have the charisma of Nia Long and Larenz Tate. Thank you for responding!

"smile. be happy"